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 Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 10:38 am
Akatta was walking through the heart of the pride, her mind set on a familiar target: Thorgrim’s den. Njal had left to speak with the older lion and it was unlikely that they were both there which would allow Akatta to speak with a lioness she considered to be one of her closest friends. She’d become acquainted to Lena while they were at the outpost and because their husbands were often together, it made sense that she spent more time with the green-eyed lioness. That’s not why she did it though. Lena was someone… good. You didn’t find many lionesses like her, someone in whose presence you could simply lower your guard and enjoy a good bit of honest conversation. Finding polite and pleasant company was an increasingly difficult task and Akatta was glad the other lioness was nothing like her sister. Lena had a nature similar to hers and Akatta couldn't help but to be very fond of the green-eyed girl. She just wished her husband wasn't such a brute.
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 11:40 am
With both Stygg and Thorgrim out, Lena was all alone in the den. Normally she would have busied herself cleaning or simply rearranging things to look more inviting, but she couldn't help feeling a bit down today. Thorgrim's insistence on giving Stygg to her nephew had depressed her. She liked Stygg, even though the lioness wasn't very bright, and hated to think of her poor loyal thrall being beaten or worse by her nephew.
Thinking about a walk to clear her mind, Lena poked her head out of the den. To her surprise, a familiar figure was approaching. The brown lioness smiled. A pleasant surprise.
"Akatta," Lena called happily, starting towards her friend. There were so many unfamiliar faces in the pride lately, it was a relief to see someone she knew and liked. Lena had always been a friendly lioness, eager to talk with the other Freeborn girls, but so many of these new lionesses were reavers. She didn't know how to talk to lionesses that sought to be as bold and brash as the males. Akatta was a sweet lioness and a good friend, even though Lena found her Njal a bit intimidating. "It's good to see you," Lena said, smiling. "Are you busy today?"
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 5:26 pm
“Lena.” Akatta replied in the same tone, clearly happy to see the other lioness. She moved forward with quick steps until she reached the mouth of the den. “Njal left early so I thought I’d pay you a visit. The den looks nice, as always.” Though perhaps not a perfectly tidy as Lena always kept it…. How unusual. Akatta knew her friend was not lazy – she was actually one of the most responsible and hardworking lionesses she knew and Akatta admired her for it - so she had to wonder if something had happened.
“I’m sorry…. It might be a little too early for a visit. Are you busy?” she returned the question casually, looking for any signs that might indicate her presence was an inconvenience. “I was hoping we could spend some time together but I can come back later.”
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 4:27 am
Oh, dear. Lena knew her friend was being polite, but she must think the den was a mess for her to assume Lena was busy. The brown lioness looked back at her den, considering. Akatta's gentle reminder made her want to rush back and finish tidying things before Thorgrim returned.
But she didn't. If Thorgrim wanted to give her helpful thrall away to his cruel son, he would have to deal with things being a bit less perfect than usual. Her own small show of defiance surprised her, but there it was. Lena steeled herself, frowning at the den for a second longer before turning to Akatta with a smile. "No, I'm not busy. I was just about to go on a walk. Why don't you join me? We can chat about things." Pleasant things, hopefully!
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Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 8:37 am
As Lena frowned in the direction of the den, Akatta was certain than something was indeed wrong with her friend. She’d rather not ask about her troubles too bluntly but a walk might help them breach the subject naturally so she accepted the proposition with an easy smile.
“Of course. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.” She turned away from the den and waited for Lena to join her. “I spoke to Dalla yesterday. She seems well.” Though involved in secrete plottings with their husbands which worried Akatta greatly. This was a matter she was still carefully considering in her mind and Akatta would rather not talk about it openly just yet.
“There are a lot of new cubs around.” The dark lioness let out a little chuckle. It was not an entirely happy sound despite the fact she did adore to be surrounded by little ones. “New lions, too. It seems many Outlanders have managed to win their askorun. It actually worries me a little.”
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 4:50 am
Lena moved to join Akatta. A walk with a friend would be just the thing to take her mind off her worries. There was that mention of Dalla, though. Lena did not reply immediately, biting her lip as Akatta continued to speak of cubs and outlanders. Dalla ... well, Lena wasn't sure what to think about Dalla. She had always known the lioness to be clever and talented at her crafting, a good Freeborn lady, but she didn't know what Dalla was up to with Thorgrim and Njal. It was all very unsettling.
"I'm glad Dalla is well, she's a good lioness," Lena said quickly, not wanting to hear too much about the mysterious crafter. She had already fretted over what Dalla might be involved in. Cubs and outlanders were easier to speak of. "I never minded outlanders, but there are a lot about these days," Lena agreed. She laughed softly. "Maybe it's because we were away. If we'd been here to see them join one by one, it wouldn't seem like so many." Lena knew her husband disapproved of the influx of new lions, but without Thorgrim there to prompt her she usually tried to be a voice of moderation. "I do like seeing all the cubs about. Are you planning on adding your own soon?" Lena asked, a bit teasingly.
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 4:02 am
“That’s a very good point… I honestly hadn’t thought about it that way.” Akatta said slowly, considering the idea in her head. It made sense that coming back to pride after such a long time she would find the number of unfamiliar faces somewhat intimidating. See, this was why she truly loved spending time with Lena. Anyone would do well to have a such kind voice of reason to answer one’s concerns.
“Oh, Lena!” Akatta said with a string of embarrassed little laughs when the conversation took a sudden turn. “Dalla asked the exact same thing!”
The dark lioness stopped walking for a moment, her eyes following a thrall that was chasing after a rather rambunctious freeborn cub. If Njal decided he wanted to have little ones, she would definitely need a thrall or two to help around the den.
“You know… I think I would like it. But with Njal being so busy lately... I’m not sure.” She paused, throwing her friend a rather sly look. “What about you? Isn’t Thorgrim interested in having a few more sons?”
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:01 pm
Lena couldn't help laughing in return at Akatta's startled reaction to her question. Akatta was a sweetheart, so unlike the female Reavers that baffled Lena. Truth be told, Lena couldn't wait to see the gentle lioness with a brood of her own. They would be adorable, and surely well-mannered (the girls, at least). "I'd love to see you with a heap of cubs," Lena said stoutly. "Husbands are always busy. They learn to make time."
Looking after the thrall and cub for a moment, Lena smiled to herself. "I'm sure Thorgrim would love more sons." He certainly seemed to love trying for sons, but Lena was too polite to talk about that. "I would like some sons myself. And daughters." Her voice grew a bit sad when she mentioned daughters. Her own sweet daughter had left the pride long before Lena returned home.
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:48 pm
“I’ve been thinking about talking to Njal about it. He would make such a great father…“ Akatta pondered out loud, wondering how she could breach the subject with her husband especially now that they hadn’t been spending that much time together.
“And wouldn’t it be lovely to see our cubs growing together?” The dark lioness’ eyes shone brighter as her excitement grew. “Oh Lena, just think about it! Our children growing up side by side, perhaps we can even join our families one day. I already consider you as close as family but if our children ever marry, we might live to see grandcubs that share both our bloods. A truly great big family.” Akatta let out a pleased little chuckle as she bumped her head softly against the other lioness’ shoulder.
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 6:36 pm
Lena had idly thought about how nice it would be to have cubs at the same time as a friend, but she hadn't even considered the prospect of joining their families. She beamed at Akatta, touched and delighted by the idea. "That would be wonderful!" Of course, there was no sense in planning engagements for cubs that didn't even exist yet, but it was such a charming idea! She chuckled. "Let's hope our future cubs don't mind our matchmaking."
The brown lioness had thought about cubs, but having cubs along with Lena sounded so fun now! She would have to speak to Thorgrim about it, of course ... but wouldn't it be lovely? "I'll talk to my Thorgrim as well. He and Njal need to find us some help if we're to have cubs!" By that, of course, she meant thralls. At least Lena had Stygg to help part of the time, but poor Akatta was in dire need of some extra paws around the den.
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:49 pm
“I think any cub of mine would be honored to be matched to one of yours, my friend.” Akatta said with a soft smile. She had always been a firm supporter of arranged marriages which was no surprise considering how well hers had worked out for her. Of course, she was aware that not all lionesses were lucky enough to find a husband like Njal but Akatta was certain that Lena’s cubs would be suitable matches… well, so as long as they didn’t take too much after Thorgrim or his existing sons. Gunnar seemed to be a fine male even if a bit too soft perhaps but that Gaved had always felt a little off to Akatta. But she had a feeling Lena’s next litter would be wonderful.
“Oh, yes… perhaps we should go to the thrall quarters and take a look at the unclaimed ones. I admit I’d rather have one or two that Njal captured himself but we should at least see if there are any useful thralls there.” She chuckled, slowly changing the direction she was walking towards. “A back up plan of sorts…” Not that she doubted her husband's abilities, on the contrary! Akatta simply felt like Njal was too busy to look for a new thrall.
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:35 pm
Even though it would be silly to plot arranged marriages now, it was still nice to know that when the time came there might be some suitable matches for her own litter amongst Akatta's cubs. Lena regretted not trying harder to find matches for her own cubs. If she'd found a husband for Pia before she left for the outpost, Pia might not have decided to strike out on her own. Her sweet daughter hadn't wanted to marry anyone bloodthirsty. Gentle Lena understood it some level, but that was a tall order if one wanted a male with high position. And Gunnar, though he had a kind soul for a reaver, also had a stubborn streak a mile wide and flat out refused any females Lena suggested. She matched her pace to Akatta's, banishing troubling thoughts of her grown offspring. "If there's anyone perfect, that would be good..." But unlikely, of course. So many new thralls were miserable and useless! It broke Lena's heart the way some Stormborn treated the thralls they captured. She would love to take them all in, but Thorgrim would have a conniption if she burdened him with any more pity cases. "I know Njal is busy these days, but he should go find a thrall for you," Lena said. She smiled at Akatta. "Who but a husband should know the perfect gift for his wife?" And if Njal went hunting thralls for Akatta, he would want to keep them in good condition and not mistreat them!
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:28 pm
troll toll Akatta's last post, I think! ^.^
"I suppose… I should mention it to Njal when we talk about cubs.” She started slowly looking pensive. “But I’m sure he doesn’t expect me to manage the den alone when our family grows. He’ll probably surprise me even if I don’t say anything.” Well, in all fairness, Akatta was aware her husband was not the most perceptive lion in the pride so a little hint might be in order. “Let’s go see if there are any new ones then!”
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Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:26 am
Lena, who had been dealing with a husband for quite a while, knew that males could be bewilderingly dense at times. She laughed. "He could probably use a few hints. Sometimes husbands are..." Lena paused, groping for a charitable way to put it. "Sometimes they are so busy with other things, that they don't take the time to think about things at home."
"Maybe there will be some good new thralls," she said. She doubted it, but there was always the chance. Good ones tended to get snapped up quickly, leaving the surly and broken-spirited to serve the rest of the pride. "If not, Njal will surely find you one!"
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